Voting choices, one hundred years on from women’s suffrage, should reflect the value of gender equality. The least disputed area of the current debate is about self identifying women amongst self identifying men. The trigger for this letter is the vexed return to Parliament of Diane Abbot.
The objective of its message is to ensure that voters acknowledge gender as a priority when marking their ballot paper.
The Green Party is unique in its leadership’s gender balance. Carla Denyer is a co-leader. Caroline Lucas is widely know as a brave lone voice in Parliament safeguarding rights and values held by many. She is followed by Sian Berry in this election for Brighton and Hove. In Nottingham two women stand alongside two men, all offering their services to the city for the first time.
One of these candidates, Rosemary Palmer, has a history of residence in Jamaica, where Portia Simpson became Prime Minister and female heads of families have traditionally provided for and guided their youngsters in the absence of male counterparts.
Rosemary, with Diane, asserts the importance of acknowledging women’s potential in government. She underlines the need for gender equality, challenging the disproportionate impact of extreme economic need.
- Rosey Palmer 30th May 2024
